RFID Card Basics
RFID Card is a type of contactless smart card that uses radio waves to identify a person. They can be used in a variety of ways to open doors, access information about logistics, or even track race results.
Using them is fast and convenient—all you need to do is tap or wave your card over the reader to make a payment. These cards are safe to use and have built-in protections, making theft difficult.
The chip
The chip inside an RFID card is small – it’s around the size of a grain of rice – but it is highly sophisticated and holds thousands of bytes of data. It also contains a coil of metal that converts radio signals into electrical power. This is crucial to enabling the chip to communicate with the antenna.
The antenna is what connects the chip to the reader, allowing the cardholder to transmit information without direct contact. It’s usually made of plastic, but premium RFID cards can use PVC, PET, ABS, or wood to withstand harsh physical conditions.
RFID technology is used for many different purposes, including access control and supply chain management. It’s also increasingly being used to make contactless payments, which are RFID Keyfob convenient and safe for consumers and businesses alike.
Another popular use for RFID is animal identification, with an implantable tag (also known as a transponder) being injected into the animal. This is used to track the location of livestock on large ranches or over rough terrain, and can be useful for preventing disease outbreaks such as mad cow disease.
While some people worry about RFID skimming, it’s important to remember that criminals must physically be within a few feet of the card for the technology to work. And while there are products on the market that can block or shield RFID signals, thieves would need to invest a lot of time and effort in order to compromise a person’s information.
The antenna
The antenna inside an RFID card is responsible for transmitting and receiving signals between the chip and the reader. It is typically a thin, metallic coil that is printed or etched onto the substrate of the RFID card. The substrate holds the antenna and chip together and provides structural support. Premium RFID cards use materials such as PVC, PET, ABS, or wood for added durability and longevity.
The polarization of the RFID antenna determines whether it radiates radio frequency energy in a linear or circular direction. Antennas with linear polarization only emit energy in a single direction, while circular antennas radiate in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction. RFID readers with multiple antenna ports can rotate between different antennas to maximize the reading range of an RFID tag.
Unlike barcodes, RFID tags can store large amounts of data that help retailers trace products as they move through the supply chain. This helps companies track and reduce theft and product loss. RFID tags also have a unique identification, which makes it difficult for criminals to steal data from them.
Special RFID-blocking wallets and sleeves are available, but these items generally aren’t necessary for security because the technology requires an obstruction-free environment to work. A more effective solution is to wrap a RFID-capable credit or debit card in foil, which blocks the signal and prevents fraud.
The power supply
Unlike the battery inside your phone, RFID chips don’t need an onboard power supply. Instead, they use a simple circuit to wake up the chip. It works a bit like a rectifier, but on a much smaller scale. When the chip is close enough to a reader, the antenna’s electromagnetic field activates it. The chip then uses a transistor to send a small pulse of energy over the air to the reader.
RFID technology is a huge benefit for inventory control. It can read many tags over a large area in less time than traditional 1D/2D barcode scanning requires. It also eliminates the need for a worker to have direct line-of-sight with each individual item.
The different types of RFID systems are often categorized by their operating frequency bands. There are low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF) and RFID Keyfob ultra-high frequency (UHF). Each one operates at a different radio wave wavelength and has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The most popular LF RFID format is EM-Marin. Other popular formats include HID Prox II, Motorola and Indala. Flipper can read most of these protocols and display the protocol’s name alongside the card ID if it is successful. It can even emulate a 125 kHz card for the primitive readers that use this dumb protocol. It is very common to see these cards in access control systems and in office intercoms.
The reader
When the card is placed in an RFID reader, the chip releases electromagnetic waves that are picked up by the antenna. The reader then converts those signals into information that can be sent to other systems. This process is what makes RFID cards so convenient and easy to use.
These readers are used in many different environments, including in libraries, events, and retail stores. Using these technologies can help businesses reduce costs and increase productivity. They are also more secure than traditional magnetic or barcode systems.
A great example of an RFID system in action is a library that uses RFID to manage book loans. Students can check out books with their RFID cards and can also return them on time. In addition, event organizers can use these cards to improve logistics by tracking all of the guests.
The RFID technology can also be used in manufacturing processes. By tracking products, the data obtained with this technology can be analyzed and used to eliminate waste and improve productivity. This includes reducing direct labor in non-productive tasks and improving scheduling and forecasting.
While the benefits of RFID cards are numerous, they are not without their shortcomings. Some of the most prominent concerns are security and privacy. These cards require proximity to the reader to transmit data, so they can be susceptible to theft if someone is able to get close enough. This is why it’s important to choose a company that offers security measures for their cards.